THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MECHANICAL PROPERTY OF A NEW DOUBLE-ARCH GATE

The double-arch gate is a new application for space structure to the hydraulic gate; it will be used as both tidal barrage and flood gate in the Caoe River Sluice which is so-called “the first estuary sluice” in china. Theoretical and experimental study on the gate was thusly conducted. First, a scale-model experiment of the gate was made. The data show that the main-arch, the chords and invert-arch together form mainly bearing members. The dominant stress is the axial stress and is evenly distributed along the span. In this way, the material has been put into full usage, so the designing of the gate proves to be appropriate. The load-deflection curve indicates that the load-deflection curve of the new double-arch gate consists of three stages: the elastic stage, the local plastic stage and the failure stage. The joints between the arch and springings, and the joints between the main and minor arches are the weakest parts of the gate and are destroyed first. The theoretical formula on main members is deduced as well. The results from the formula are compared with that from FEM, and it is found that the formula is accurate enough to be used in projects.